Kashmir apple industry sees shifts in logistics and wholesale pricing

The Kashmir apple industry is experiencing shifts in both logistics and market economics. During the last season, approximately 25,000 metric tonnes of apples were transported from the region via rail. Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Director of Horticulture Planning and Marketing, identified railways as an emerging, cost-effective alternative to road transport, which often faces delays due to landslides, weather, and heavy traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Simultaneously, wholesale price data from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics shows divergent trends among apple varieties. Between the 2019-20 and 2023-24 seasons, the average wholesale price of Delicious apples fell by nearly 35 percent, dropping from Rs 708 to Rs 458 per 16-kg box. In contrast, other varieties saw significant gains; Hazratbali prices rose by approximately 80 percent, and American apples increased by about 20 percent. These varying market returns may influence how growers select orchard varieties in the future.